CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval’s trade mission to the People’s Republic of China has announced two business agreements for companies located in Northern and Southern Nevada. A collaborative research agreement with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) was also expanded.

In a joint venture initially valued at $500,000, Las Vegas-based Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects signed a two-year contract with Shenzhen Investment Holdings Company for the design of the Shenzhen Bay Technology and Ecological City, a business campus in the Chinese industrial mega-center near Hong Kong.

Additionally, under the terms of a distribution agreement, Reno-based confectioner Kimmie Candy is entering the Chinese candy market for the first time.

Leaders from both companies are part of the Nevada business delegation for the trade mission, which was organized by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

The agreements were announced Saturday.

“These agreements are notable both because of the breadth of engagement we are beginning to see in our economic development efforts with China and because they will help create jobs in Nevada,” Sandoval said. “The export dollars brought into our state by deals such as these are the bricks that strengthen our economy as we continue to build a diversified economy.”

Stephen Wells, president of DRI, signed a memorandum of understanding Friday with the Chinese Academy of Science’s Institute of Earth Environment (IEECAS) to collaborate on a broad range of atmospheric research.

The memorandum of understanding between DRI and IEECAS builds on the original agreement signed in 1996 with Nankai University in Tiajian, China. The new agreement calls for collaboration on a broad range of research, including development and application of ambient air quality mechanisms; methods for the measurement of organic carbon and elemental carbon; instrument development; aerosol measurements and modeling; and development and application of air quality models.

With today’s deal for distribution in China, Kimmie Candy is becoming a major exporter in Nevada, with significant business also in Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and the Middle East. Kimmie Candy is the maker of Choco Rocks, which won the prestigious Candy Grammy product of the year award.

Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects is a leading design firm in the Western United States. The firm is based in Las Vegas and maintains offices in Reno and Los Angeles. Over the past 25 years, the firm’s projects have won more than 70 design awards. The firm is committed to developing sustainable projects.

The governor’s trade mission to the People’s Republic of China, organized by the Governor’s Office of Economic Development with support from Asian Chamber of Commerce leaders, is focused on identifying opportunities for Nevada companies to export their products and services to China’s markets and encourage Chinese investment in Nevada.

This is an historic trade mission because it is the first that a Nevada governor has led to China. Other delegates accompanying the governor include state academic leaders from UNLV and UNR, as well as leaders from the state’s business community. The mission will also visit South Korea.